John H. Holdridge, Private
CSA 14th Alabama, Company G
Private John Holdridge was enlisted by Captain H Brooks of the 14th Regiment of Confederate States of Alabama Volunteers, "Hillabee Blues", at Tallapoosa County on the 10th day of Feby 1862 to serve for the war years. He was born in Lawrence [Laurens] Dist in the State of South Carolina, was [at discharge in April 1864] fifty-one years of age, 5 feet 11 inches high, dark complexion, yellowish eyes, black (gray) hair and by occupation when enlisted a farmer.[1]
14th Alabama Infantry Flag
Courtesy ADAH
His records indicate that he spent much of his time either sick or injured, serving some of that time assigned as guard or other duty at the hospital.
In 1862, he appeared on the company Muster roll for March and April, present at muster. On July 9, 1862, in Richmond, he received $44 pay for first 4 months, February 28, 1862 to July 1, 1862 at $11 per month. John Holdridge, private, appeared on a report of casualties of the 5th Brigade (Pryor's) in the engagements around Richmond, Virginia June 26 to July 1, 1862. He appeared on the company Muster roll June 30 to Oct 31, 1862, and again Nov to Dec 1862, present at muster.
In 1863, he appeared on the company Muster roll January to Feb 1863, present at muster. He was detailed with the commissary wagon of the Regiment. He was sent to hospital soon after that, for on the company Muster roll March to Apr 1863, and May to June 1863, he is absent at muster, sick.
He spent some time at General Hospital, Staunton, Virginia, as he appeared on the hospital muster roll, thru Feb 28, 1863, dated April 1863. It was noted that he was attached to hospital March 1863. He was present at muster, recovering from scurvy. He appeared on a register of the medical director's office General Hospital Staunton, Richmond, Virginia, April 21, 1863; it was noted that he was admitted March 21st 1863. He appeared again on a muster roll thru April 30, 1863, dated May 13, 1863. He was still recovering from scorbutis, scurvy, a disorder caused by lack of vitamin C.
He recovered and returned to duty for a while that summer, but he was admitted Aug 11, 1863 to General Hospital Howards Grove, Richmond, Virginia with debilitas. He returned to duty August 13.
He appeared on the company Muster roll Sept to Oct 1863, absent because he was detailed on light guard duty at Richmond, Virginia by order of General Lee. He was on a list of regularly detailed men at General Hospital, Howard's Grove, Sept 3, 1863. John Holdridge, private, appeared on a register of the medical director's office Receiving and Wayside hospital or General Hospital No. 9, Richmond, Virgina, admitted Oct 6, 1863.
He was again detailed Oct 7, 1863 to report to surgeon, Richmond, Howard's Grove, for assignment. He reported for duty October 7, 1863, employed as hospital guard. Relieved from Duty Nov 18, 1863 by special order 274 as I.G. for guard on R & D Railroad.
In 1864, John Holdridge continued to suffer from illness. He appeared on a register of Chimborazo Hospital No. 5, Richmond, Virginia, with chronic rheumatism. He was admitted Feb 5, 1864, and returned to duty March 19. He was admitted March 26, to Receiving and Wayside hospital or General Hospital No. 9, Richmond, Virginia. He was returned to duty March 28, 1864. But due to his age and chronic illness, John Holdridge was discharged in April 1864.
Certificate of Discharge:
I certify that the within named John Holdridge, a private of Capt Jno A Terrill's Co. G of the 14th Regiment of Alabama Volunteers born in Lawrence [Laurens] Dist in the State of South Carolina age fifty-one years, 5 feet 11 inches high, dark complexion, yellowish eyes, black (gray) hair, and by occupation a farmer was enlisted by Captain H Brooks at Tallapoosa County, Alabama on the 10th day of Feby 1862, to serve for the war and is now entitled to discharge by reason of abdominal dropsy and his advanced age.The said John Holdridge was last paid by Capt West to include the 29th day of Feby 1864 and has pay due from that date to the present date. Due commutation on being furloughed.
There is due to him travelling allowance from Orange County Court House, Virginia, the place of discharge, to Tallapoosa County, Alabama, the place of enrollment, transportation not being furnished in kind. There is due to him clothing commutation on one year, 6 months, 14 days $187.95. He is indebted to the Confederate States one hundred and four dollars on account of clothing.
Given in duplicate at Orange Court House this 25th day of April 1864.
Capt Jno A Terrill, Commanding Company
CONFEDERATE MONEY
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NOTE: Using the Consumer Price Index, $129.59 from 1864 is worth $1,831.98 in 2008. www.measuringworth.comFor pay from 1 March 1864 to 25th of April 1864, being one month and twenty-five days at eleven dollars per month. For pay for commutation, clothing, from 8 Oct 1862 to 25 April 1864. Distance from Orange County Court House to Tallapoosa County, Alabama, 984 miles commuted, rations commuted.
$20.16
$183.22
$17.96
$2.25
$233.59 TotalDeduct for clothing drawn, $104
Balance Paid $129.59Received of Major Jno Ambler, QM, CS army this 26th day of April 1864 one hundred twenty-nine dollars and 59 cents. In full of the above account.
Signed, John Holdridge (his mark)
Witness JS Duckwall Captain
Certificate of Disability for Discharge in the case of John Holdridge, a private in Company G, 14th Regiment, Alabama Volunteers:
Private John Holdridge of Capt Jno A Terrill's Co. G of the 14th Regiment of Confederate States Alabama Volunteers was enlisted by Captain H Brooks of the 14th Regiment of Confederate States Alabama Volunteers at Tallapoosa County on the 10th day of Feby 1862 to serve for the war years; he was born in Lawrence [Laurens] Dist in the State of South Carolina, is fifty-one years of age, 5 feet 11 inches high, dark complexion, yellowish eyes, black (gray) hair and by occupation when enlisted a farmer.During the last two months soldier has been unfit for duty 60 days.
Orange County Court House, 14 April 1864
Signed Jno A Terrill Captain Commanding Company
I certify I have examined the said John Holdridge of Captain Terrill's Company and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of abdominal dropsy and his advanced age. I recommend that he be discharged.
Signed J.B. Gaston, Surgeon
Approved James A Broome, Lt Col, Commanding 14th Reg
Approved A. Percival, Brigadier General
Approved General Lee, Army of the Confederate States
- John H. Holdridge, compiled military record (private, Company G, 14th Alabama Infantry), Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Alabama, micropublication M311 (Washington: National Archives), No. 757